I woke up this morning to urgent texts from friends notifying me of the passing of Dr. David Nabarro. I met David through my wife, Claudia, who worked with him at the United Nations. He was a singular force in public health, an advocate for developing nations and a passionate believer in quality information as the fundamental force in behavior change.
David served in the UK Department for International Development in Iraq, Nepal, and Kenya. He taught at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and the University of Liverpool School of Medicine. He served as the first Coordinator of the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement, was the UK Special Envoy on Ebola, led the UN response to a cholera outbreak in Haiti and helped to launch the Sustainable Development Goals for the UN.
He worked closely with Edelman during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our firm hosted monthly calls for employees and clients featuring Dr. Nabarro. He provided important updates on the progress of the disease, best treatment options for sick parents, opined on the safety of the novel vaccines, gave us comfort in the lockdown that this was indeed the best approach to prevent the spread of the disease. He campaigned for sharing of early vaccine production with all nations, so that the elderly were universally protected. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth for his work during this terrible period.
He was a partner in our health Trust research which started during the pandemic. He was fascinated by the rise of a Person Like Me and local pharmacist as important sources of health information. He pushed for regulation of social media, which had become the primary source of advice for many consumers. He was appalled by the politicization of health during the pandemic, the loss of trust in national health figures such as Dr. Fauci and institutions from WHO to the CDC. He understood the unique role of the Employer in provision of consistent and objective health advice.
We also worked closely on COP28. He was in Dubai for the entire two weeks of negotiations. He was deeply concerned about the health effects of climate change. He believed that Africa would have permanent deterioration of its agricultural assets and that its people would be doomed to a perpetual state of poverty. He gave dimension to our PR teams seeking a higher mission for the carbon mitigation commitments.
He was a true friend of our family. Claudia was his director of communications and advocacy for the United Nations’ Sustainable Development goals. He was a tough boss; a daily 9 a.m. meeting meant that doors were closed at that exact time, with laggards locked out. He was full of ideas, based on idealism and his unique experience in the developing world. He was so happy with his new partner, Florence, who was his right hand on health and sustainability issues.
I say this of very few people; I loved David Nabarro. I cannot believe I will no longer be able to pick up the phone and reach him at any time of day or night to get his advice and counsel. I will carry on his mission of truth and fairness in the world.
Richard Edelman is CEO.
